( 48 )
Q.--Perhaps you remember that in 1878 a petition was addressed to the Govern- ment praying for permission for the formation of an anti-kidnapping association?
A.--I am aware of that.
Q.--And that a report and recommendations were made by the Committee appointed to enquire into it, and that a statute was drafted by Mr. FRANCIS? Have you read that report?
A.---Not since that time.
Q. You read it at the time?
A.--Yes.
Q.-Then do you remember that one of the rules stipulated that the detectives of the Pó Léung Kuk should report to the Captain Superintendent of Police every morn- ing as to what they did?
A. I cannot remember that.
Q.
Would it tend to make the Pó Léung Kuk more effective if such a stipulation was enforced ?
A.--My opinion is, as I have said, that such powers ought not to belong to the Pó Léung Kuk at all, but should remain in the hands of the Police.
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-A case came on in Court last November before Mr. WISE. I have an extract here from one of the papers-I think it is the China Mail. It is a charge against one of the Officers of the. Society. The report reads as follows *
Honourable T. H. WHITEHEAD.-Have you had any similar case to that brought before you?
A.-I am unable to say at this moment.
Q.—That which I have read very clearly shows that the Pó Léung Kuk detectives are unable to detect this class of crime. Would it not be much better that it should be left in the hands of the Police ?
A I consider, much better. I think it is altogether a mistake to have Police powers entrusted to a corporate body of that kind and I am unaware of any necessity for it. I am not aware why the Police should not be found competent to deal with this crime.
Honourable Ho KAI.-Then it is your opinion that the Pó Léung Kuk does no good work at all?
A.-I am not of that opinion. I am simply of that opinion in regard to cases in which the Pó Léung Kuk exercises Police functions, but in its inore charitable func- tions-in rescuing women and children-I am not at all desirous of saying that I do not consider they do good work. It is merely when they assume functions which I consider do not belong to them, as not being a constitutional body in dealing with that work, that I disagree with it.
The CHAIRMAN.--Do you know anything of the working of the Pó Léung Kuk Society?
A.-Only what I see of it.
Q. Where have you seen it?
A.--Merely in cases which come before me.
Q-Have you had numbers of kidnapping cases brought before you by the Pó Léung Kuk?
A.---Yes, but none that might not have been done by the Police equally well.
* See Appendix 33.
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